“It Didn’t Violate Nigeria Sovereignty”, Says FG On US Rescue Operation

Minister of defence, Bashir Magashi, says the rescue operation carried out in Nigeria by United States special forces did not threaten the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

The minister said the federal government was aware of the operation and gave the US military permission embark on it.

Magashi made this known on Tuesday while addressing newsmen after defending the ministry’s budget before the senate committee on defence.

Ekohotblog had reported how US special forces stormed Nigeria to rescue an American held hostage by kidnappers.

Twenty-seven-year-old Philip Walton was abducted in Niger Republic from where he was moved to an unknown location in northern Nigeria. Six of the seven kidnappers where killed in the rescue operation.

Mixed reactions have trailed the incident, with many claiming it might have violated Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Some Nigerians also claimed the US special forces might have secretly entered the country to carry out the covert operation.

But Magashi dismissed the claims, stating that the federal government was duly informed ahead of the rescue operation following which it granted the US permission to go ahead.

“The United States of America contacted the Nigerian government to undertake that operation,” he said

“There is nothing wrong with a friendly nation taking permission to conduct an operation which is for the habitual good of the countries. That is why we allowed it to happen.”

On how the US has helped Nigeria in fighting insurgency, the minister said “it is not meant for the consumption of the public.”

“We are making efforts and they have been helping us greatly in areas where we have difficulties and we are still asking for more,” he added.